Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-12-23


view for the children by Miss Alice
W. Knox.
Tho lessons for the last quarter are all con-
tanned in six chapters of tn, Gospel of Mat
thew, S to 10 inclusive Two lessons are
taken from chapter : two and unc-haf from
chapter 9 one and onc-half from chap
ter 10, two from chapter II. one from
chapter T. and three from chapter IL. These
six chapters may he easily read in twenty
minutes, and it would be a good thing for
every teacher and scholar to rcread two or
three times the whole section. In that sec
ton an account is given of fourteen definite
miracles. Besides these mention is made of
Chrsts having wrought many miracles on
two occasions. We have considered eight OF
these miracles: we have omitted six In two
cases there were two persons affected with
the same disease and healed by Christ to-
ether. We have considered the healing OF to
two blind men, and have omitted the heal
ing of the two demoniacs in Gadara. OF
these in the whole section, one was n lcpcr,
three were blind, two were dumb, three
palsied, one had fever, one an issue of blood.
two were possessed with devils one was dead
and one miracle was the sitting the tempest.
We have considered the three palsicd, the
issue of blood, all of the blind, the raising of
the dead and the sitting of the tempest. In
this section the lessons have omitted con-
siderable matter Thus we have omitted the
middle part of his charge TO the twelve
apostles; his answer to those who charge him
with eating with sinners; with casting ont
devils by Beellebub; his reply to those who
ask why his disciples do no fasting. and to
those asking him to show them Il sign, as well
as his alluson to his mother and brethren
In this section four Old Testament prophecies
are noted as fulfilled: lsa. xiii, / lii, 1; Nal.
iii, !; iV, D. one interesting event is also
omitted namely, the calling of Matthe,"
from the receipt of custom. In the section
there are given seven parallels. We have
considered six and omitted the last one OF the
section, namely that of the drag net. OF
these six chapters two of them are promi-
ncntly marked and easily remembered.
In two cases we have interesting pro
gresses In the lesson of the Three Miracles.
oct. -, this may I>9 noticed: the rulers hest
tation when his daughters death is an
nouncel to him is an example of apparently
small faith. The womau's conccamcnt of
herself rs touching the hem of his garment
was Of larger faith but very timl The
blind men were clamorous and confident, yet
all three received the blessing which they
sought The essence of the faith needed for
receiving Gods blessing is a sincere desire,
coupled with active obedience to his will
So in the lesson of the Parable of the
Sewer, Dec. T., there is a progress in the
classes there mentioned. On the wavsidc the
seed never gets root; on the stony ground il
gets root, but the root is small: in the
thorny places it gets larger root and the con-
ilict is longer: in the good ground the seed
takes root and comes to perfection The
waysidc hearers understand me not; stony
ground hearers understand and feel; thorny
ground hearers understand and feel and act,
but have no persistence; the hearers of good
ground understand and feel and act and per-
severe unto the end. So in the thirteenth
chapter with its parallels We have two of the
preachcr-first sowing seed in individuals,
and second sowing individuals in the world
We have then the effects of this sowing on
the converted in its external and its internal
manifestations Then we have set before us
the converts conscious effort after this re-
ligous life, and finally i'll the drag net the
whole attention is concentrated on the final
Judgment.
The progress in the miracles is not set forth
in their order, but may be pleasantly thought
of if they are considered in their ORDER
Sight is necessary for us to know what to do,
and so we have proof of Christs almighty
power to give US this perception Strength
is needed for action. But by sin his strength
is destroyed. So we have three cases of
Christ's almighty power in healing palsy:
whether it is partial, as in the case of the
withercd hand; or over the whole body, as
in tho case of the centurions servant; or
total helpleSSnesS of the whole body, as in the
case of the man brought to him by his
friends. The vitality and strength of the
Il Il
circulation of the life blood so Christ proved
his power for the maintenance OF our spirit
ual life by stopping the waste of blood.
AS if to cover every form of disease, he
raised the dead to life and health, as he now
resurrccts the SOIL dead in sin. OF the mir
aces omitted, it is interesting to note that
he cured fever as he cures the fever lust fol
vice. He healed the dumb, as he opens the
lips that are not accustomed to speak his
praise, He cleansed the leper, as curing the
uncleanness and impurity of sin. He cast
out devils showing his power over mans
great adversary. To complete the circle OF
his almighty protection he stillcd the TEN
pest, showing his power over all nature anC
all providrutial events
If we take the topics of the lessons in TIN
quarter VIC shall find in them an interesting
grouping. As for almighty help and for oul
part in securing help we have 'Thc Centu
rion's Faith" As for Chris;'s part we hay,
his "Powcr to Forgive Sins" As for hi
temporal aid we have his 'Stlllmg the Tenn
pest As for our duty we have it in "Con
Tossing Christ" As for our worship ",
have it in Jesus and the Sabbath A. fol
work it is in Tho Harvest and the Labor
ers." As to Gods part we have il in Christ
Testimony to John.' as supporting and in
a. all g.. Ia, 4